November 30th, 2009
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/syndicated.gif) bsnorrellcn:
http://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2009/11/floyd-hand-spiritual-vampires-desecrate.html BLACK HILLS SIOUX NATION TREATY COUNCIL MEMBER RESERVATIONS Cheyenne River Crow Creek Fort Peck Lower Brule Pine Ridge Rosebud Standing Rock Yankton Contact: Natalie Hand @ 605-867-5762
November 24, 2009 On November 2, 2009, Floyd Hand, Jr., (Oglala Lakota Sioux) Oglala Delegate to the Black Hills Sioux Nation Treaty Council, along with Ivan H. Lewis (Pima/Maricopa/Yavapai), filed a lawsuit (Case No.: CV-09-8196-PCT-FJM) in the U.S. District Court in Arizona against James Arthur Ray and the Angel Valley Retreat Center. In the petition, Hand and Lewis assert that Ray caused the desecration of the sacred Lakota ceremony, “Inikaga”, commonly referred to as sweat lodge, by causing the deaths of three participants. The suit contends that Angel Valley Retreat Center is culpable for allowing individuals like Ray to rent their property which offers a sweat lodge for paying participants. Furthermore, Ray and Angel Valley Retreat Center committed fraud by impersonating Native Americans and must be held responsible for causing the deaths of the victims and serious injuries to the survivors. In the immediate aftermath of the deaths, Ray fled the scene and Angel Valley Retreat Center staff dismantled the sweat lodge, thus tampering with a crime scene. Hand contends that the “Inikaga” and other ancient Lakota rituals is a way of life, not a religion. “Ray is a spiritual vampire who will use whatever means necessary to turn a profit. He and others like him that profit from our culture must be held accountable for their continual fraud and desecration. This ceremony comes from the Lakota. We maintain our cultural identity today and people like Ray are trying to mock it as a means to acquire material possessions. They cannot hide behind the Religious Freedom Act. This is NOT a religion," stated Hand. The Ft. Laramie Treaty of 1868 between the United States and the Great Sioux Nation is a legal binding agreement that is the “supreme law of the land." Article 1 of the Treaty states that “… if bad men among the whites or other people subject to the authority of the United States shall commit any wrong upon the person or the property of the Indians, the United States will … proceed at once to cause the offender to be arrested and punished according to the laws of the United States, and also reimburse the injured person for the loss sustained …” For Ivan Lewis, this lawsuit is a long overdue. “I joined with my Lakota brothers to stop the desecration. These new-agers have been selling our native ceremonies for years here on our homeland. The non-natives are taking everything from us. Ray and the Angel Valley folks are a dime a dozen in Yavapai territory. My hope is that this lawsuit will put light on our treaties with the U.S. and will show the people of Arizona that we have sovereign rights," stated Lewis. Importantly, Hand and Lewis want to emphasize that they are not affiliated with a group calling themselves the “Council of Indigenous Traditional Healers." “This group claims that they will authenticate and qualify individuals, including non-Indians, to conduct our ceremonies. Our people know who is a real healer and who isn't. Yes, everyone is entitled to pray, but our ceremonies belong with us in our native tongue," noted Lewis. To date, the plaintiffs have received notification that a judge has been assigned to the case. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office's homicide investigation continues and hopes to submit evidence to the County Attorney's Office in December.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) wisewomanjudith:
So I'm writing on the revision of my Ogham book, and I googled 'Irish Straw-boys' THIS IS THE NEATEST!!!!!!: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8107238654944003246&ei=wpEUS-XqD5u6lQfd8sWtDg&q=irish+straw-boys&client=safari#I think I like the horse the best, but they're all BRILLIANT!!!
hollowdoll, posting in
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) thrifthorror:
emotional weather:  distressed
today's soundtrack: Siouxsie & The Banshees - This Wheel's On Fire
Just one from somewhere in Indiana (I think Auburn? My mom and I were doing a little day-trip sort of thing & she was driving), but my god is it horrifying. Not explicitly NSFW, but maybe not the best thing to click in the presence of others? ( Cut for WTF )D:
chas_clifton:
http://www.chasclifton.com/2009/11/pagan-studies-call-for-papers-aar-2010.html This post is for anyone who has not already seen the Contemporary Pagan Studies Group's call for papers for next year's AAR meeting in Atlanta posted on some e-list or other. For details on paper submission, see the AAR's page for that meeting. Note that some information will not be posted until later in December. The Contemporary Pagan Studies Group invites papers that address one of the following topics:1. For session with Men's Studies in Religion Group, Pagan Masculinities: Male Identity, Gender Injustice and Power Relations. Who are the Pagan men, how is their understanding of masculinity constituted, and how are they affected by the emphasis on the feminine in Pagan spirituality? 2. Paganism, Ethnicity and Ultra-Nationalism. The Right has increased representation in the European Parliament and some of those elected are Pagans with concerns about boundaries, immigration and ethnicities. We welcome papers that investigate this growing phenomenon and the contentious issues that arise from it. 3. Idolatry and Tangible Sacrality: The Conversation Continues. This panel generated such excellent discussion at the 2009 meeting that we felt it important to explore it further. 4. For session with the New Religious Movements Group, papers on African-inspired religious traditions, such as Santeria, Vodun, Yoruba, and Candomble, especially as those in the southeastern United States.
indianz_news:
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/017575.asp "I am an Indian militant. It is a name I wear with some ambivalence—like “Indian”—not my choice, but the alternatives for the sake of political correctness do not have the same power or panache. This year, while most Americans celebrate...
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/todays-politicians-wife-is-no.html Remember the way it use to be? Shamed politician stands at podium, admitting affair, acknowledging homosexuality, while his disgraced wife stands loyally by his side. Anyone who didn’t know what the word humiliation really meant only needed to see pictures of Eliot Spitzer’s wife standing by her husband’s side as he confessed his involvement with a prostitution ring last year. A little piece of that woman died with each word her husband uttered.
Is it not ironic that the wife of a politician plays such a huge role in making her husband’s public image a moral one, but if he does anything to damage how people perceive him, he takes his wife down, too? Eliot Spitzer made his wife the pity of the world, a sorry and tragic character. It was painful just to watch that press conference.
But Spitzer's wife was not the one paying to traffick prostitutes across state lines. The wife of a politician must always put protecting her husband’s image over everything else, but no one is giving her that same security.
Well that is no longer the case. Today’s politician’s wives are no longer playing the part of victim in their husband’s charades. If anything, wives are ‘outing’ their husbands before even they get the chance to, sparing themselves of the looming humiliation by exposing their husbands for who they really are. They are providing themselves with security and protecting their own futures.
Look at Veronica Lario, Silvio Berlusconi’s wife. Earlier this year, she bluntly came out to the press that she could no longer put up with her husband’s “infatuation with young women,” and wanted a divorce. Berlusconi, Italy’s current Prime Minister and one of the richest men in the world, is now entangled in a sex scandal with a cocaine dealing businessman, accused of supplying Berlusconi with girls at his private residences in Rome and Sardegna.
Many Italian women credit Lario with igniting a new “feminist” fervor in Italy where women are culturally encouraged to guard their men and their family's honor. No public hanging of dirty, private family matters, thank you. But Veronica Lario opted for telling the world what being married to Silvio Berlusconi was really like- and the $65 million a year in alimony she is currently seeking.
Women have had enough of society’s rules which allow and condone men to be promiscuous, while they are supposed to act oblivious to their husband’s cavorting. Women are forced to be responsible for men, especially men who are public figures. The most important role a politician’s wife plays is that of loving, fiercely loyal spouse, and it is a role that has to be played very convincingly. After all, if the wife has seemingly forgiven her husband, the public will eventually follow her lead, right?
But while Lario is getting her revenge on Berlusconi financially, the political wife who is really coming into her own is Jenny Sanford.
When it came to light that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was actually having an affair with an Argentinean woman in Buenos Aires, and not hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, his wife Jenny Sanford opted out of standing by him during his public confession.
Now it turns out that Mark Sanford has run up 37 counts of ethic charges for his “improper use of campaign contributions,” and “unreported use” of friends' private planes. He even openly referred to the other woman, Maria Belen Chapur, as his soul mate.
Jenny Sanford, a Georgetown University graduate and former Investment Banker, is having none of this. As her husband’s political future falls to pieces, his wife is building a brand.
I recently read this article in the New York Times that says Jenny Sanford is writing a book (of course!) on her experience dealing with her husband’s infidelity. She has also trademarked her name to sell clothing and other merchandise. Sanford even has her own website with press releases and pictures. To top it all off, Jenny Sanford endorsed State Representative Nikki Haley to succeed her husband as South Carolina's Governor. The NY Times labels Mrs. Sanford as, "the reluctant poster woman for not standing by her man.”
More like poster woman for not standing by her man and coming into her own! Jenny Sanford is becoming Jenny Sanford INC. Sources cited in the article say that Sanford “has moved from promoting him [Mark Sanford] as a loyal spouse to using those same talents on behalf of herself.”
What would Jackie Kennedy have said?
Who cares? It is about time women stop doing their politician husbands the favor of abetting them in their illicit affairs, covering up their homosexuality, etc. What we learn from women like Verionica Lario, and in particular Jenny Sanford, is that you do not have to pay the price for your husband destroying his political ambitions. Politician’s wives have already sacrificed enough dignity by pretending to play dumb in the first place, for even a second let alone years.
Women like Sanford show us what it means to be a political wife in this day and age. More importantly, they remind us to be our own person when playing the "committed till death" role of wife comes to a close. They remind us that when your husband ruins his career, instead of falling with him, build your own empire instead.
That is the best revenge.
Cross-posted from Anushay's Point.
feministing:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Feministing/~3/PNTiF7kV7FQ/019121.html As usual she brings it with personal experience and feminist authority in her measured, thoughtful and generous way.
Being a part of the WaPo's contest didn't change how I feel about the value of training women to enter public debate in greater numbers. It did, however, remind me of just how deeply the gender imbalance on op-ed pages is rooted. It's not all about submission rates or saying yes when producers call; it's also about old, tired, and stubbornly persistent perceptions of gender and authority.
Reading the comments that amassed following my writing throughout the three-week experience and, especially, after my video appearance, was a sobering reality check about how far we still have to go in changing cultural mores on who gets to speak about "political issues" and how they get to speak about them.
Please go read the rest.
the_wildhunt:
http://wildhunt.org/blog/2009/11/c-o-g-s-got-a-blog-and-other-pagan-news-of-note.html http://wildhunt.org/blog/?p=3829 Top Story: The Covenant of the Goddess (aka C.O.G.), an international organization of autonomous Wiccan groups and solitaries, has started its first official blog in order to spotlight its extensive interfaith work.
“I am happy to anounce that The Covenant of the Goddess has started a new National Interfaith Representative’s Blog. Four of our Representatives – Don Frew, Rachael Watcher, Rowan Fairgrove, and youth representative Michelle Mueller will all be attending the Parliament of World Religions next week and reporting back on this blog. Rachael has already made a perliminary post.”
As stated in the above excerpted press release, COG Interfaith Reports will feature coverage of their participation in the Parliament of the World’s Religions. Its first post, by Rachael Watcher, recounts how C.O.G. sponsored and facilitated the attendance of an Argentinian indigenous practitioner to the Melbourne gathering. In addition, Watcher is also coordinating with the Pagan Newswire Campaign’s Pagans at the Parliament project, and will be web-casting from the Parliament. I urge all of you interested in Pagan interfaith efforts and coverage of the Pagan presence at the Parliament of the World’s Religions to subscribe to their feed, link to the blog, and give them some feedback.
On a personal note, I’m extremely pleased to see C.O.G. take a big step forward in facilitating regular communication with the wider Pagan community. Even though C.O.G. has received attention in several published works over the years, many younger Pagans don’t know the great work this organization does in areas like interfaith, and fighting for equal treatment under the law. I hope this “big step” is just the beginning and that they’ll soon join other Pagan groups and businesses who are utilizing new media opportunities to make contact with our movement’s future.
In Other News: Influential fantasy author Robert Holdstock, best known for his Mythago Wood Cycle novels, passed away yesterday due to complications from an E. Coli infection. Holdstock, along with authors like Ursala Le Guin and Marion Zimmer Bradley helped break fantasy out of Tolkien mimicry, and pushed the genre in new directions.
“His Merlin Codex books are well regarded, but his most significant and lasting work is his Ryhope Wood fantasy series, beginning with the World Fantasy Award-winning Mythago Wood, (1984). This was one of the first post-Tolkien adult fantasy novels to have a contemporary setting. It was, like all Holdstock’s fantasy, deeply rooted in the traditions and botany of his native England, mixing Jungian archetypes with local folklore and a sprinkling of Lovecraft. It’s hard to overstate what a significant book it was—many people in Britain felt as if Mythago Wood was as revolutionary and groundbreaking in fantasy as Neuromancer was in science fiction that same year.”
It almost goes without saying that with the mythic themes Holdstock explored he drew a devoted Pagan audience, and that he also helped shape the “urban fantasy” genre that so readily mixes pagan themes into fictional settings. Our thoughts go out to his partner Sarah, his family, friends, and the many fans who are no doubt shaken by the news.
A story coming out of Uganda proves why laws against “witchcraft” (or any belief) are flawed. While the Pagans in South Africa are concerned that broad applications of such laws may curtail their religious freedoms, traditional indigenous practitioners in Uganda are concerned that malefic magic-workers are using a clause in the 1957 Witchcraft Act to escape prosecution.
“A group of children and traditional healers have petitioned Parliament to amend the Witchcraft Act 1957 to separate witchcraft from genuine traditional medicine. “We request the Government to amend the Witchcraft Act because witchcraft today is being practiced in the name of traditional medicine, which is widely acceptable to some Ugandans,” the petition read. The Act bans all witchcraft-related activities by imposing a life sentence or imprisonment of up to 10 years on anybody who threatens or causes harm, disease or death to others by practicing witchcraft.”
The current Witchcraft Act “does not include bona fide spirit worship or the bona fide manufacture, supply or sale of native medicines”, so protesters are asking for a special court to try witchcraft-related cases in order, I infer, to root out the guilty and protect the innocent. However, the minute you set up special “witchcraft courts” to determine who is a “witch” and who is a “traditional practitioner”, you run into all sort of problems. Who will get to decide such things? Won’t such a process be politicized? A emphasis on education and law enforcement (not to mention stabilizing the economy) would seem better bets in addressing this problem, rather than swimming deeper into the murky waters of legislating belief.
In a ceremony on Friday the Collegiate Church, one of the oldest Protestant denominations in America, held a joint ceremony with Lenape tribal representatives to acknowledge and apologize for their part in the massacre and displacement of the tribe.
“We consumed your resources, dehumanized your people and disregarded your culture, along with your dreams, hopes and great love for this land,” the Rev. Robert Chase told descendants from both sides. “With pain, we the Collegiate Church, remember our part in these events.”
While some Natives were a bit skeptical of a reconciliation, both parties ultimately viewed this as a positive step forward in healing a painful joint history. To find out more, there is a web site dedicated to this process called Healing Turtle Island.
In a final note, it seems Heather Graham’s witchy practices, which I mentioned here before, are hitting the news-wires yet again (must be a slow news day). This time the money-quote seems to be her group’s pro-Obama workings.
“We sent Barack Obama positive energies, so that he would become the next president. I always liked magic. Now when I see Obama’s picture in the paper, I feel good.”
I really don’t understand why this is making the celebrity gossip-rounds again. Do people really think Heather Graham’s coven had anything to do with Obama’s victory? Or that Obama personally welcomed Graham’s magical help? Would this story be news-worthy if it was a small Christian prayer group? Maybe there are some folks mad at her pro-public-option television ad?
That’s all I have for now, have a great day!
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/anti-elitism-or-anti-intellect.html For a while now, I've been considering the concept of anti-elitism in reference to education. A week ago, a professor went on a spree about how anti-intellectualism has been fostering in the US for a long time and is bringing down the quality of conversation surrounding important topics - for instance, Glenn Beck, anyone?
But education is a privilege for those who have the means to support it. In this post at the SDS Womyn's Caucus Blog, the author discusses the elitism that runs rampant in her group meetings. She doesn't like how people "drop names" or have read all the books regarding the doctrine to which they adhere. (Which, to me, seems appropriate that they educate themselves about the label with which they identify.)
But here's where I'm hoping to begin discussion: Is there a way to separate elitism and intellectualism? Is the author of the SDS post valid in her argument that talking about Chomsky is elitist?
indianz_news:
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/017574.asp Members of the Quileute Nation of Washington won't translate a key phrase in the latest "Twilight" film. Actor Taylor Lautner, who is not Indian, spoke in the Quileute language that some fans believe means "I love you." But the tribe...
feministing:
http://www.feministing.com/archives/019108.html Last week ABC canceled Adam Lambert's scheduled appearance on Good Morning America after he *shock* *gasp* kissed another man during his 11pm performance at the American Music Awards. But the network is going ahead with an interview with Chris Brown, who beat his then-girlfriend Rihanna (the link is to a New York Post story - the publication has a terrible track record on a lot of issues, and even they seem bothered by this move).
Does ABC understand the statement this choice makes? Their actions say that a man who is known to have abused a woman deserves a chance to tell his story, but a man who who has kissed another man and received simulated oral sex from a man in a theatrical performance does not. Basically, this programming decision suggests the network thinks it's worse for them to be associated with gay male sexuality than with a straight male perpetrator of relationship violence.
Regarding the cancellation of Adam Lambert's appearance, an ABC insider told the New York Post: "He was not canceled over a gay kiss. He showed himself to be unpredictable on live TV." Bullshit.
I'm particularly disgusted by the explanation for why ABC is giving Chris Brown access to such a public platform: The top ABC insider added: "Chris Brown's interview was booked way before Adam Lambert took to the stage. It is to give him a chance to respond to Rihanna's interview..." Talk about taking the media obsession with giving two opposing views on a story way too far. I'm pretty sure I got more of Chris Brown's story than I needed to hear from his public "apology." No, I don't think a man who beat a woman should be given a "chance to respond" after she is brave enough to tell her story. I have no interest in another pseudo-apology as part of the ongoing campaign to save Chris Brown's career.
ABC has at least decided they will not give Chris Brown the chance to perform a song. Of course, a performance would have just been the most obvious way the appearance served as an advertisement for Chris Brown's music. He still gets the platform of an interview on a major network, which will now also be shown on 20/20, to put himself in the public eye.
Adam Lambert, on the other hand, lost his chance to promote his career on ABC the moment he locked lips with another man during his AMA performance. Lambert actually has some valuable things to say to a mainstream TV audience about reaction to his performance. His voice should be heard in this moment, but ABC is more comfortable tacitly supporting the homophobes who want Adam Lambert silenced.
You can contact ABC to let them know how you feel about this decision here.
Since ABC won't give him the chance to speak on their network, let alone perform again, I'm including the music video for Adam Lambert's "For Your Entertainment" after the jump (hey, isn't that the guy he kissed at the AMAs rubbing up on Glambert toward the end of the video?)
Via.
Lyrics can be found here.
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/feminist-films.html I received this list of 53 feminist films from a facebook friend.
Do you have any you can add to the list?
Tank Girl
Harold and Maude
Frozen River
Kill Bill 1
Kill Bill 2
the Wizard of Oz
Auntie Mame
Paper Moon
Female
Adam’s Rib
Rabbit Proof Fence
White Oleander
Terminator
Terminator 2
Whale Rider
Mata Hari
Amelie
G.I.Jane
Barefoot in the Park
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
the Color Purple
North Country
Ever After
Imitation of Life
Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
Angel at My Table
The Way We Were
Frances
Heaven Can Wait
Mask
the Rose
Funny Girl
Funny Lady
Nikita
Nim's Island
Bend It Like Beckham
Gracie
Norma Rae
Talk To Her
Fried Green Tomatoes
Steel Magnolias
Boys Don't Cry
Broadcast News
Madeline
Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf
Mary Poppins
A Star Is Born
Crooklyn
All About Eve
Jezebel
As Good As It Gets
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Handmaid’s Tale
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/forget-breastfeeding.html The most controversial parenting (mothering) decision these days is whether or not to have your children vaccinated against H1N1. This may not sound like a feminist issue, but I believe it is. It is assumed that the decision itself rests primarily with the mother, and being able to make (and carry out) an informed decision may, I believe, often be reserved for those with educational and socioeconomic privilege.
Lately, every mother I see, every gathering I find myself in, somehow manages to work into the conversation the dangers of Swine Flu either lurking in the virus itself or in the vaccine designed to prevent the virus from harming us. Everyone has an opinion and everyone wants to know if you are on the same side of the debate.
Are you getting it? Are your kids getting it? Have you looked at the studies on the adjuvant? Etc. Strangely, these questions are all directed at me. My husband – and equal parenting partner – is largely absent from these conversations. This is not usually because he’s literally absent. It is because, as with many other parenting decisions, it is assumed that this decision rests with the mother alone. She is the one in charge of the children’s health, she’s the one who makes appointments with the doctor and keeps track of allergies, weight gain, developmental milestones and, naturally, she is the one researching the pros and cons of a much anticipated vaccine. This is obviously problematic. The flip side of this sort of assumption is that if the wrong choice is made, she is to blame. If a child is/is not vaccinated and something goes wrong as a result, it is the mother’s fault.
Secondly, the way information has been disseminated (at least where I live) reflects some privilege of socio-economic status and education. Information is presented in our national newspaper and in talks at the local university, but not, as far as I can tell, in community centers, grocery stores and bus stops. Having the choice to have our children vaccinated meant that during the early weeks of the vaccination campaign, a parent needed to schedule at least several hours off work to take the children to one of the few vaccination clinics (many of which were not easily accessible by public transit). Although things have improved considerably in recent weeks, it is certainly a minority of families in which one parent can afford the time (and potentially lost income) of taking a day off work to wait in line for a vaccine.
The panic I see in my immediate peer group has, in many cases, given way to hysteria. Danger is everywhere. Every doorknob, every child with a runny nose, every seat on the bus, every book in the library must be looked at with suspicion (and not touched!). Everything has the potential (however small) of carrying the virus. Of course, this is no more or less true than any other virus circulating around us all the time. H1N1 may potentially have more risks once acquired, but the risk *of exposure itself* remains similar. Interestingly, I think this is the sort of paranoia reserved for those who have the luxury of time and choice.
My husband and I have flexible work hours that allow us to take the time required to have our children vaccinated if we so choose without fear of lost income (or lost employment), we have the good fortune of knowing people who are trained as scientists and can offer us various perspectives on this vaccine, and we have backgrounds that allow us to adequately research H1N1 and come to what we believe is a sound, informed decision.
In short, we are privileged. However, the judgment that comes from both sides of this debate appears directed primarily at mothers, regardless of privilege. Though I don’t find this surprising, I do find it irritating. I am not the only person in charge of my family’s health and it is not solely my responsibility to keep my children out of harm’s way.
[cross-posted at youngfeministmother.blogspot.com]
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feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/on-intersectionality.html Recently, many of us in the third wave have been pushing the concept of intersectionality. Intersectionality, in opposition to the exclusivity, post-modernism influenced arguments of a prior generation of Feminists, is an idea many of us here believe will push the movement forward rather than keeping it small and frequently prone to factionalism and a lack of more or less uniform direction. The concept is, as I understand it, relatively straightforward. In short, we are seeking to find commonality between individuals and individual causes rather than pointing out differences and highlighting distinctions. Though the latter exercise may have had its place once, the time has come to modify our thinking and our judgment
Focusing too heavily on where we are not alike is, arguably, what led to the decline of the second-wavers. Their theories led to a mentality still prevalent from within the movement whereby one assumes automatically upon entrance that he or she is part some oppressed collective body. Thus one feels constantly surrounded by shadowy enemies with shady intentions. We know that Patriarchy and the -isms have created and will create severe problems within society that cry out for addressing and challenging, but after a while we assume that the process of unearthing an objectionable issue is more important than understanding its genesis. A persecution complex fosters havoc from within the movement itself when those who question and raise issues in a spirit of reform are perceived to be detrimental to the health of the group itself.
To pivot quickly as to how matters could be improved, I note how our Courtney has set up this quote as her e-mail signature. "Engrave this upon your heart: there isn't anyone you couldn't love once you heard their story." --Mary Lou Kownacki. To me, nothing summarizes the concept of intersectionality better. If we seek the common thread of humanity, not just an impulse to focus squarely upon the enraging details, we will find ourselves on a path that is more powerful than we could ever imagine. After all, each of us has regrettable lapses in judgment from time to time and contain flaws that if pointed out in a public forum could easily shame us into submission. As a person of faith, I am called to love my enemy, not just those who love me. It isn't easy. I often fall short. It would be so easy to turn to hate. In saying this I am reminded of the title of a documentary that was the first in-depth look at the Black Muslims and Malcolm X. It was named, aptly, "The Hate that Hate Produced". One of my personal goals is to never have that title applied to me or to my words.
To Courtney's quote, I add my own. "Never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity. Don't assign to stupidity what might be due to ignorance. And try not to assume your opponent is the ignorant one -- until you can show it isn't you." - M. L. Plano. Good intentions are the engine that drives activists circles, but we must change those intentions to a very different way of looking at the world around us. In a desire to point the finger at enemies, we sometimes we end up being our own oppressors. This isn't just deeply ironic, this is also deeply unfortunate. It doesn't have to be this way. It is entirely possible to hate the sin and love the sinner.
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/how-does-one-prepare-to-be-a-m.html I am 24 years old and in a committed relationship that will likely turn into a marriage within the foreseeable future. Also in the foreseeable future, we would like to have at least one biological child. Sometimes, just to see what sorts of decisions I might have to make in being a mother or what kinds of concerns I should have, I look at parenting websites and/or baby product reviews. A few days ago, I stumbled across this product review.
The product itself is used to prop up a baby bottle when the mother does not have both arms or hands free. Granted, I have heard a lot about how bottle-propping can be unsafe if it is done unmonitored. The comments on the post reflect this concern. However, a few comments do raise the issue of mothers who may not have the use of both hands and arms to feed a child as a result of a disability. I read the review because I know a young mother with sickle cell anemia, which can often cause severe pain in one's limbs. She has said that sometimes, during flare-ups, that bottle-propping is one of the few ways that she can feed her son. She monitors him closely, but sometimes, she just finds it impossible to hold him or the bottle.
But the post also made me think about the larger issue that I feel will impact me someday, when I am a mother. I do not have a physical disability, but a mental illness. Many of my friends who are mothers are physically disabled. And it really makes me think about the way society treats disabled mothers, especially those who were disabled prior to having a child. There is a strong undercurrent of thought, at least to me, that it is often acceptable to opine that PWDs in general (and especially women with disabilities) should not have children. If your body is limited or flawed in a way that makes it disabled, then it seems publicly acceptable to speculate on your ability to be a parent. If you are wheelchair, scooter , cane, or crutch-bound, it seems ok to inquire how you can keep up with a toddler or small child. If you have days where you are incapacitated or bed or house-bound, it's ok to suggest that you are missing out on your child's life. If you are disabled by a mental illness, it's ok to speculate that you may injure or kill your own child. If you take multiple medications or pills and keep them at home, people will opine that your child may be in danger in your home.
I shook my head reading the comments on that review. Regardless of whether someone believed the product to be a good one, it was very clear that many of the commentators did not even think to consider that to mothers with certain disabilities, such a product may be a welcome help. Honestly, knowing that if I had a child, he or she would grow up with at least one disabled parent and that such a fact would open my family up to a whole new host of criticism frightens me. If anyone on these boards has had such an experience or dealt with being a parent while also being a person with a disability, I would love to hear your thoughts. And anyone else who would like to comment as well!
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/sorry-courtney.html But it looks like you may not have had much of a chance:
But it should also be noted that Huffman's ex-wife is schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, an editorial page favorite and cover star of the first revamped Post magazine. In that 4,200-word piece on Rhee in September, the author mentioned that she didn't want to discuss aspects of her personal life, including Huffman and their two children.
With 4,800 contestants, from all 50 states, it's interesting that the winner ends up being someone familiar with the world of D.C. politics, as opposed to someone far outside the Beltway.
The piece notes Fred Hiatt's defense that Huffman had to be voted in by readers. But just like Courtney had help from this site, is it a stretch to believe (as one commenter in the link notes) that Huffman could have had an endless stretch of support if he were considered a friend or best candidate by people at the Post?
I won't go calling it rigged, per se- after all, we could easily be accused of rigging Courtney's rise to third in the same manner. But it does provide evidence of just how drastic the steps needed are to put legitimate non-Beltway thinkers into positions of establishment commentary.
indianz_news:
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/017573.asp The Comanche Nation of Oklahoma is helping tribal members obtain eagle feathers and parts without going through the long federal process. Sia, the tribe's Ethno-Ornithological Initiative, raises and maintains eagles. Parts can be supplied in as little as a day,...
indianz_news:
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/017572.asp On November 19, Rep. Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) introduced H.R.4152, the Native Act to Transform Imagery in Various Environments. The bill encourages public schools to discontinue the use of Indian mascots and imagery. It authorizes the Department of Education to...
feministing:
http://www.feministing.com/archives/019107.html Just in time for Thanksgiving, The Advocate gave transgender and gender non-conforming folks a reminder of how we've been screwed over by the mainstream gay community. No, I'm not grateful.
The Advocate posted a poll on their website asking, "Would you support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act if gender identity protections were again taken out of the bill?" Here's what the results of this (I'm assuming very unscientific) poll look like as of this morning:
I suppose it's nice to see the overwhelming answer of "No." But the big problem here is that the question was asked at all. It's my understanding that supporting a version of the Employement Non-Discrimination Act that excludes protections for trans folks is not even a consideration. Barney Frank has said we are "beyond" the removal of gender identity and expression from the ENDA. HRC was the only mainstream LGBT organization to support a trans-exclusionary bill last time around, and they came under a lot of fire not just from the trans community but the broader LGBT community. A non-inclusive ENDA seems like a terrible political idea at this point given the amount of opposition among advocates.
So why would The Advocate even ask this question? Simply publishing this poll legitimizes the consideration of throwing trans folks under the bus again. It's genuinely scary to see the question raised, to see any credence given to the idea that ENDA without protections for trans folks could be politically viable and worth supporting.
The Advocate has demonstrated multiple times that they are a publication for those gay folks with the most power and privilege through, for example, their problematic track record on issues of gender identity and race. This poll cements the fact that this publication is not for me and does not represent me or my community.
As of this writing the poll is still up on The Advocate's website and is still accepting written responses. More contact information can be found here. Let The Advocate know how you feel about them raising this divisive question and even suggesting that ENDA without gender identity and expression is worth considering.
h/t to Kellan Baker.
feministing:
http://www.feministing.com/archives/019115.html
Glenn Beck is an asshole. And I am not Sarah Palin fan, but seriously...sexism is sexism and telling someone to get back in the kitchen because they are a woman is sexism, regardless of their politics.
via RawStory
Beck apparently likes the idea of a Beck-Palin ticket, but a Palin-Beck ticket? Not so much.
"I was just thinking, what, I'm going to take a back seat to a chick?" Beck quipped, to laughter from the studio. "Go shoot a bear, make some stew, I'm hungry in here."
In an interview with Newsmax last week, Palin "wouldn't rule out" running with the controversial talk show host in 2012.
"So while she's considering it ... I just want her to know, I'm ruling it out. A Palin-Beck ticket, I'm absolutely ruling it out," Beck said. "I'm just saying, Beck-Palin, I'll consider. But Palin-Beck -- can you imagine what an administration with the two of us would be like? She'd be yapping or something, I'd say, 'I'm sorry, why am I hearing your voice? I'm not in the kitchen.' I mean, you'd have to live up to the evil conservative stereotypes, you'd have no choice but to do so."
Infuriating.
indymedia_ie:
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/94967 Friday, 4th December, 1pm outside the Dail
It has been mooted that the government plan to cut the dole for under 23 year olds to 160 euro per month.
wordsofastory, posting in
50books_poc:
41. Alaya Dawn Johnson, Racing the DarkThe first book in a YA trilogy set in a Polynesia-inspired world (with elements from several other cultures; I recognized a few Japanese things in particular), it's a bit hard to describe the plot, because it's very episodic and involves many, many twists and turns. The main character is Lana, who grows up on an idyllic rural island before finding out that she is destined for something big. Her attempts to escape that destiny start off the plot. The other main character is Kohaku, a young man from an urban center who has come to Lana's island to teach and do anthropological research. Back home, he lives with his deaf sister, Emea. Other important figures include a scary floating death spirit, a man who is half water-spirit, a fortune-teller, healer, and witch who knows more than she's telling, and a young man from a nomadic tribe who does not believe in the magic used by the rest of the characters. This book involves a lot of mature topics (including abortion, suicide, murder, prostitution, and torture, to name a few), which I know isn't unusual for YA books, but the sheer number of "bad" things surprised me. Despite all that, it's not really a depressing book. Everything is handled with the seriousness and weight they deserve, but they're not dwelt on. In general, I found the book to be very fast-moving and entertaining. The writing is not the most beautiful, but man, does Johnson do plot well. This book is very much a page-turner, and it gripped me and didn't let go. I can't wait for the sequel to come out!
ein_wunderkind, posting in
linguaphiles:
What is the most interesting language you know of and why? I'm bored and need some reading material.
feministing_com:
http://community.feministing.com/2009/11/transsexual-sportswriter-found.html Mike Penner, a longtime writer for the Los Angeles Times who came out as a transsexual two years ago and changed his name to Christine Daniels, was found dead at 52 of a likely suicide. Story here.
The curious thing to me is this:
After his vacation, Penner did indeed return as Christine Daniels, not only continuing to report on sports for the Times but also authoring a blog called "Woman in Transition," detailing his experiences.
However, he eventually dropped the "Woman in Transition" blog and returned to writing under the name Mike Penner.
I can't find any information as to why he switched his working name back, or if this was a change that went deeper than the byline. It will be interesting to see if any information of note is released regarding this particular aspect of his life. It seems hard to believe that he (I refer to him as male because the article does) did so without being in some way compelled to do so, even if it wasn't due to any sort of direct pressure from the company, family, etc. And if that's the case, I wonder if he would have been ok had people just left him alone about it.
indianz_news:
http://www.indianz.com/News/2009/017571.asp Alaska Natives in Anchorage are more likely to be hospitalized for H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, than any other group, according to a federal-state study. Of the 59 people hospitalized recently, 15 were Alaska Native. That comes to...
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